I am not a fan of winter. Born in winter, raised in Saskatchewan my whole life, even the movie Frozen didn’t make me love the bitter frost any more (my daughters are a different story!) I spend a considerable amount of the winter months indoors.
Actually, on average more than 90% of our time is spent indoors regardless of the season so it’s no surprise that indoor air quality directly impacts the health of so many of us.
I love being able to open my windows when the snow first starts to melt in the spring, and allow that fresh crisp air into the house. Unfortunately, once the thermometer dips in the fall our windows are closed tightly and we don’t get fresh air throughout the house. Keeping warm air in also creates a build up of stale smells and air pollutants likely coming from your hockey equipment, fireplaces, water eaters, dryers, air-fresheners, carpeting and cleaning products. In fact, your indoor air can be 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air!
So what can you do during the winter months to help improve the air quality in your home? Skipping the obvious (open your windows when you can), you can help air quality in some very simple ways. Experts recommend vaccuming carpets and mopping floors at least once per week and adding to your home décor with air-filtering plants like English ivy and Chrysanthanum. Make it a habit to wash things like drapery, duvet covers and fabric shower curtains regularly (I know, you’re trying to think of the last time you did this, right?) as they will harbor dust mites and other allergens. Also, invest in a good quality air purifier for your household!
A recent KAZ survey, revealed that 7 in 10 Canadians do not own an air purifier, and yet 67% say they are concerned or very concerned about air quality and its affect on their health. Yikes!
The #1 air purifier brand recommended by allergists, Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover Air Purifiers help provide cleaner fresher air in your home. The unit works to capture up to 99.97 percent of airborne allergens as small as 0.3 microns and helps circulate clean air through a room several times an hour. Ideal for families for the removal of odour, allergens and certain germs. The purifier also happens to come in a sleek, modern design that doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb in your household.
Our Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover Air Purifier blends in seamlessly into our home décor and I don’t even hear it anymore. I keep ours on our second level which is all carpeted and also where our dog sleeps. I like knowing that, while
unfortunately during the winter months I can’t throw open my windows (nor enjoy a drink on my deck) I can still keep the air clean and allergen free for our family. I find we don’t get sick often during the winter months – of course I give credit to our flu shots and ensuring we all get enough rest, but I’m also positive that maintaining good air quality in our household helps.
Look for the Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover Air Purifier at Canadian Tire Centre, Home Hardware, Home Depot, and London Drugs at a suggested retail price of $329.99 this fall.
Really, a small price to pay for clean air. I’m like you, I love to throw my windows open and miss doing so in the winter. (although a few here have called me crazy for opening the patio doors in December) Looks like a great Air Purifier from Honeywell.
I don’t feel the need for one – as long as we can open the windows during winter then they get opened and stay open as long as possible. Living next to the ocean it brings a lovely smell into the house. Though we have had to use a hair dryer to unfreeze the windows to close them sometimes
I have winter allergies and I think an air purifier would totally help my symptoms. I have no problems in the summer but as soon as the furnace kicks in and the windows are all closed I start to get the sniffles and itchy eyes! This is a better solution than taking allergy pills!
That’s something I never thought about before reading this!
After reading Susan’s post above I wonder too if the air purifier may help with my allergies and it seems to be when the house is closed up that my symptoms are the worse.
any air purifier would help with sinus congestion in winter
It is important to remember that dust does carry a lot of yuck – as you mentioned.
Really, a resonable price to pay for clean air.i find in the winter with wood heat an air purifier would totally help
I’ve always wanted to try an air purifier – I didn’t realize they were this inexpensive.
I need an air purifier In the winter I feel that my house get so stuffy and dirty
I would love an air purifier for my home!
A very reasonable price.
We have an air purifier in our youngest son’s room and find that it helps a lot. Would love to get another one for our older two boys’ room. I never knew there were “air purifying plants” but that is great!
I make a point of opening the windows and changing the air in our home even if it’s for a few minutes. We have no carpet in the home except for an area rug in the family room. We also change the filter in our furnace often. An air purifier would be also most helpful and at such an affordable price why not. Every little bit helps to keep cleaner fresher air in your home.
oh wow! this is exactly what we need in our house!
This sounds like a great idea. I’ve tried to put moisture in the air with a bucket of water near the heating vents. It does work to a certain extent. This would be better because it purifies the air and makes it fresh.
Our family of five plus 2 dogs and 2 cats can sure use this! We are shut in a lot during the winter. I’m sure our air quality is on the higher end of the pollution scale. We can sure use this air purifier. We sadly do not do a lot to purify the air, we don’t think about it. Thanks for the informative post.
Oh great idea for my allergerie family!
I hate how dry the air is in my house all winter. Even with the filters there is still dust build up.
Simple things I do are to not bring in air ookie things like plug-ins etc
I don’t use an air purifier, but should, as I have cats and a hatred of vacuuming :0
I think I need to get one if these
I always open my windows for some part of the day to get fresh air . I think it’s healthier than staying in warm, but recycled air.
This is important and can help avoid sickness in the winter.
I’ve got a lot of plants in the house and try to refresh the air in the winter by opening up the windows – if they are not frozen shut!!
Never thought of an air purifier.
Cheers.
Love fresh indoor air
We love our air purifier, they are a great investment.
This would be great to have.. the house gets so stuffy all closed up.. fortunately we get chinooks so I can open the window every now and then!
I do try to have the windows opened periodically but it is hard when it gets really cols so air filters do seem to be essential .
I should get one of these. My son has asthma and I know air quality is so important!!!!
So important with the lack of fresh air
id love one for my daughters bedroom
I love having one!
I could really use one of these
could definitely use this! need some fresh air in the house for sure
We’ve been looking at an air purifier — definitely will consider this one!
Would like to try this!
I really need to get one of these. Having as many animals as we do, the air becomes pretty gross in the winter. It is was past time for me to invest in one..especially considering I have asthma.
I always thought we could benefit from an air purifier- especially in the winter, I never did get one though :p
It can get stuffy in a home in the winter for sure, and the furnace blows the dust around. This Sounds like a wonderful air purifier. I also have an air purifier from Honeywell, a different model though. I love mine too.
I have an air purifier and it is wonderful year round, but especially in the winter months when the windows are closed and the air gets stuffy… Very much worth investing in!
would love an airpurifier for our home. our son has allergies year round and would really benefit him! thank you for the review!
indoor air suck i have asthmas and well the dryness in my house in not good for me wake up dry nose and cant breath right daily. i hate sleeping in – weather in the winter just to take the dryness out…
I just moved into a place with carpets upstairs, and I’m not used to it – I do feel that they generate a lot of dust and I worry that they harbour germs, even though they’re brand new. I am looking into air purifiers right now- it does get stuffy up there!
We are lucky here in Victoria that we can have our windows open pretty much all year long, but I bet the air in our home could still use some improvement. Thanks for the info!
I hate not being able to open my windows in the winter.
I never knew! Thank you for informing us.
Thanks for the info!
Boy do I need one of these I am getting a dust allergy.